4 US Citizens Kidnapped in Mexico: 2 Killed, 2 Still Alive

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Two of the four US citizens who were kidnapped in Mexico were killed, while the other two are still alive with one of them injured. Photo/AP

MEXICO CITY – Two out of four Americans died in Mexico when their van was caught in the crossfire of rival cartels last week. While the other two are still alive, with one of them injured.

The governor of Tamaulipas Americo Villarreal confirmed the death by telephone during a press conference by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He also said details about the four Americans who were abducted had been confirmed by prosecutors.

The FBI on Sunday had reported that it was with Mexican authorities looking for the missing American citizen who was kidnapped on Friday. A relative of one of them said Monday that they had traveled together from South Carolina so one of them could get a tummy tuck from Matamoros’ doctors.

Shortly after entering Mexico on Friday, they were caught in the crossfire of two rival cartel groups. A video shows them being pushed into the back of a pickup truck by gunmen.

“Of the four people, two have died, one person has been injured and one is still alive and ambulances and other security personnel are currently seeking them to provide appropriate support,” Villarreal said as quoted by The Associated Press, Tuesday (7/7). 3/2023).

Villarreal did not share additional details about where or how they were found. He is expected to provide more information at his own daily press conference scheduled for Tuesday morning local time.

Meanwhile, according to state authorities who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss the case, the US citizen was found in a rural area east of Matamoros called Ejido Longoreno on his way to a local beach known as Playa Baghdad. News of their location reached the authorities before dawn on Tuesday.

Mexican officials said a Mexican woman also died in the gun battle on Friday.

The incident illustrates the terror that has run rampant for years in Matamoros, a city dominated by factions of the powerful Gulf drug cartels that are often at war among themselves. Amid the violence, thousands of Mexicans disappeared in the state of Tamaulipas.

(ian)